NFL Cougar Highlights: Week One

JOHN C. WITTER

09/13/2010

A QUICK GLANCE at opening day NFL rosters might be considered an accurate barometer of the recent state of Washington State football. Indeed, anecdotal evidence would suggest the 12 Cougar alums on NFL clubs to begin the 2010 campaign is the lowest number since Cougfan.com began this column.

For perspective, the 2007 season kicked-off with 20 crimson alums listed on NFL rosters.

Three former Cougars are currently on United Football League (UFL) rosters: DB Wale Dada (Las Vegas Locomotives), WR Devard Darling(Omaha Nighthawks), and T Sam Lightbody (Sacramento Mountain Lions). The UFL season gets underway on Sept. 24.

Here's how the NFL Cougs performed in week one:

Hamza Abdullah, S, Arizona, 6th season: No recorded stats from the Cardinals' 17-13 victory against St. Louis.

Husain Abdullah, S, Minnesota, 3rd season: Recorded four tackles (3 solo) and one special teams stop in the Vikings' loss to New Orleans on Thursday. Abdullah won the starting job in the eleventh hour and was praised by the Minnesota coaching staff for his opening day performance.

Rian Lindell, K, Buffalo, 11th season: The Vancouver, Wash. Native connected on a 51-yard field goal, but missed a second try from 63 hashes out. Also added a PAT in the Bills' 15-10 loss to Miami.

Ropati Pitoitua, DE, New York Jets, 2nd season: Did not play; out for the season on injured reserve.

Marcus Trufant, DB, Seattle, 8th season: The Pride of Tacoma took an interception back 32 yards for a touchdown in the Seahawks' 31-6 win against San Fran. He also registered three solo stops and 3 pass defenses.